Irene Lôbo
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - The Ministry of Science and Technology reports that it is issuing 45 contracts for research and innovation project financing worth US$367 million from the Scientific and Technological Development Fund (Fundo Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico) (FNDCT).

The contracts are aimed at four areas. 1) consolidation, expansion and integration of the National Science, Technology and Innovation System; 2) industrial, technological and foreign trade policies; 3) national strategic objectives; and, 4) the use of science, technology and innovation for social development and inclusion.

The fourth item is new. "through the FNDCT this year, we will focus on some areas of social science that are of interest to Brazilian society," says minister of Science and Technology, Sergio Rezende.

Translation: Allen Bennett